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TEST DRIVE MEME #5
TEST DRIVE MEME
A Confluence, capitalized, is the converging of one or more supernatural forces.
Right on the heels of the near-apocalypse, the next Confluence comes right on schedule. Thin glowing cracks split the air like an eggshell, the aftershocks of August's great rifts. They seem normal - or at least, what has become normal over the past year. But since the world nearly ended last month, the people of this world have become far more jumpy. Maybe this isn't the kind of thing they should be getting used to.
Right on the heels of the near-apocalypse, the next Confluence comes right on schedule. Thin glowing cracks split the air like an eggshell, the aftershocks of August's great rifts. They seem normal - or at least, what has become normal over the past year. But since the world nearly ended last month, the people of this world have become far more jumpy. Maybe this isn't the kind of thing they should be getting used to.
A NOT-SO-WARM WELCOME. EXCELSIOR.
This shift in reality comes quickly and painlessly. One moment, you're going about your business in your own world; in the next, between blinks, you open your eyes to find yourself on AN UNFAMILIAR STREET.
The futuristic city you find yourself in appears to have been through some sort of DISASTER recently. Glass and strange metallic debris litters the streets, and the tall skyscrapers are pockmarked and even charred in some places. Despite all of that, nothing terrible appears to be happening right now; rather, there's an active CLEAN-UP EFFORT happening.
Despite this show of community spirit, it seems like a lot of the locals aren't too pleased to see you. People might glare, or even flee, when they see you emerge out of thin air. If you approach one of the groups to ask where you are, or what on earth just happened, it's possible that they'll grumble about "more freaking metas" and try to get rid of you.
You aren't the only personas non grata in the city. If you wander long enough, or are observant enough, you may catch sight of the odd flying car or robotic mechanism that isn't acting like the rest. The ROUGE AI who have survived this far are now in hiding, trying to avoid the destruction that's met the rest of their kin. Maybe you can work together? Or maybe they're even more hyped for the destruction of humanity now.
Eventually, you will be able to find some exhausted-seeming representatives of the (stretched very thin) Guilds, who will gather you up and take you back to their headquarters for orientation. And maybe your new robot friends, should you make any.
The futuristic city you find yourself in appears to have been through some sort of DISASTER recently. Glass and strange metallic debris litters the streets, and the tall skyscrapers are pockmarked and even charred in some places. Despite all of that, nothing terrible appears to be happening right now; rather, there's an active CLEAN-UP EFFORT happening.
Despite this show of community spirit, it seems like a lot of the locals aren't too pleased to see you. People might glare, or even flee, when they see you emerge out of thin air. If you approach one of the groups to ask where you are, or what on earth just happened, it's possible that they'll grumble about "more freaking metas" and try to get rid of you.
You aren't the only personas non grata in the city. If you wander long enough, or are observant enough, you may catch sight of the odd flying car or robotic mechanism that isn't acting like the rest. The ROUGE AI who have survived this far are now in hiding, trying to avoid the destruction that's met the rest of their kin. Maybe you can work together? Or maybe they're even more hyped for the destruction of humanity now.
Eventually, you will be able to find some exhausted-seeming representatives of the (stretched very thin) Guilds, who will gather you up and take you back to their headquarters for orientation. And maybe your new robot friends, should you make any.
DIADEM HOTEL
You're not going home anytime soon. Hopefully, the LUXURY HOTEL they've put you up in will ease that sting.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlets that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the highly anticipated THOROUGHBRED: HEART OF A CHAMPION movie, a biopic about the first animal-turned-metahuman superhero. It will make you laugh, cry, and determine that yes - a horse can play baseball.
CENTRAL CITY isn't exactly the nicest place in the world. Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourselves thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings - this is your time to use as you see fit.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings just to sample. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlets that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the highly anticipated THOROUGHBRED: HEART OF A CHAMPION movie, a biopic about the first animal-turned-metahuman superhero. It will make you laugh, cry, and determine that yes - a horse can play baseball.
CENTRAL CITY isn't exactly the nicest place in the world. Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourselves thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings - this is your time to use as you see fit.
BITS AND BOBS. CENTRAL CITY, MICHIGAN
CENTRAL CITY is still seeing some strange after-effects from the recent interdimensional incident! Luckily, no people are appearing or disappearing anymore. Instead, it seems that INANIMATE OBJECTS are still being affected by minor dimensional rifts. Sometimes, things disappear; someone's bike may vanish from the bike rack where they left it, or you might find the furniture in your hotel room has suddenly gone missing.
Far more common, however, are items appearing from other worlds. Some of these are mundane: unusual brands of food or drink, or maybe clothes according to the fashion trends of another dimension. But a lot of them are stranger. Some are pieces of technology clearly not native to this dimension, such as small personal speeders or ADVANCED WEAPONS. Others may be MAGICAL, though if you aren't familiar with the item in question, you might just have to pick up the weird amulet to see what it does.
There's also the chance that something from your world has fallen through. A small trinket that you miss. Your favorite kind of soda, not available in this world. The keys to your car that you'll walk the city trying to find, clicking the unlock button until something responds.
This has never been the safest of cities. Interdimensional weapons are a problem in the wrong hands and those hands are quite ready to kill if you should find yourself holding them. It's a dangerous place to walk alone at night, even for some metas; the criminals here have long since gotten used to having to fight superpowered foes. Emboldened by the chaos the city descended into last month, there's been a rash of muggings and burglaries lately - and these are only made worse by the sudden availability of random, occasionally incredibly good gear.
You may run into bands of particularly ambitious thieves, using their newfound loot to rob banks or hold people up. You may also find these people losing control of these things they don't understand, causing magical or technological backlash. Either way - maybe you can find some good loot drops yourself to help out?
Far more common, however, are items appearing from other worlds. Some of these are mundane: unusual brands of food or drink, or maybe clothes according to the fashion trends of another dimension. But a lot of them are stranger. Some are pieces of technology clearly not native to this dimension, such as small personal speeders or ADVANCED WEAPONS. Others may be MAGICAL, though if you aren't familiar with the item in question, you might just have to pick up the weird amulet to see what it does.
There's also the chance that something from your world has fallen through. A small trinket that you miss. Your favorite kind of soda, not available in this world. The keys to your car that you'll walk the city trying to find, clicking the unlock button until something responds.
This has never been the safest of cities. Interdimensional weapons are a problem in the wrong hands and those hands are quite ready to kill if you should find yourself holding them. It's a dangerous place to walk alone at night, even for some metas; the criminals here have long since gotten used to having to fight superpowered foes. Emboldened by the chaos the city descended into last month, there's been a rash of muggings and burglaries lately - and these are only made worse by the sudden availability of random, occasionally incredibly good gear.
You may run into bands of particularly ambitious thieves, using their newfound loot to rob banks or hold people up. You may also find these people losing control of these things they don't understand, causing magical or technological backlash. Either way - maybe you can find some good loot drops yourself to help out?
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. SUNSET FALLS, MASSACHUSETS.
There's a DEMON in Sunset Falls. Which isn't at all a surprise - there's always a demon in Sunset Falls.
Yet this one is special. The first extra-dimensional visitor since the universe was restored to its rightful place in the wider multiverse. Attracted to the power of the Hellmouth and the lingering magic of the Willow Maiden thick in the air, a Wish Demon known as Charles has settled within the city. New arrivals will find themselves met by a friendly stranger who is oh so hungry for the energy they're radiating, their connection to this world fresh and begging to be harvested.
I can grant your hearts desire, he says. And you needn't answer him. The thought that pops into your head is precisely what he sets about giving to you... though of course, it's not exactly what you want. The demon derives his power from the misery and despair left when hope breaks. Wish to return home and you'll find yourself in an illusionary world where everything has gone wrong. Your body will remain on the ground, and all those who touch you will be transported to this nightmare.
Wish for the object of your desires to return your affections, and you'll find them suddenly obsessed with you. Either compelled to look like you, or desperate to be with you.
Wish to be the most powerful or skilled at something, and find all those around you suddenly weaker while your strength remains unchanged.
All in all, the demon thinks himself untouchable. There's no real sign that he's done anything. No contract made or signed. He's simply granting unspoken wishes. The beings of this realm don't appear to be very powerful or intelligent and so he leaves himself unguarded. Perhaps you'll rearrange his smug little face to free you and the others he's trapped from their curse.
Yet this one is special. The first extra-dimensional visitor since the universe was restored to its rightful place in the wider multiverse. Attracted to the power of the Hellmouth and the lingering magic of the Willow Maiden thick in the air, a Wish Demon known as Charles has settled within the city. New arrivals will find themselves met by a friendly stranger who is oh so hungry for the energy they're radiating, their connection to this world fresh and begging to be harvested.
I can grant your hearts desire, he says. And you needn't answer him. The thought that pops into your head is precisely what he sets about giving to you... though of course, it's not exactly what you want. The demon derives his power from the misery and despair left when hope breaks. Wish to return home and you'll find yourself in an illusionary world where everything has gone wrong. Your body will remain on the ground, and all those who touch you will be transported to this nightmare.
Wish for the object of your desires to return your affections, and you'll find them suddenly obsessed with you. Either compelled to look like you, or desperate to be with you.
Wish to be the most powerful or skilled at something, and find all those around you suddenly weaker while your strength remains unchanged.
All in all, the demon thinks himself untouchable. There's no real sign that he's done anything. No contract made or signed. He's simply granting unspoken wishes. The beings of this realm don't appear to be very powerful or intelligent and so he leaves himself unguarded. Perhaps you'll rearrange his smug little face to free you and the others he's trapped from their curse.
I DREAM A DREAM SO PRETTY. EVERYWHERE.
The Dreamers of the Willow Maiden are one of the better known cults in the world, though calling it a cult feels a little... extreme. They're harmless and sweet, offering guidance on getting the best night's sleep possible. They believe that to be well-rested and happily dreaming is to be close to the divine.
As such, they've provided a generous donation to the Diadem Hotel. Pillows.
Laying your head upon one of their enchanted pillows will allow you to fall into a deep and restful sleep. And in this sleep, you will find yourself having the most vivid dreams.
Perhaps you dream of something mundane. You go through your morning routine as normal, unaware that the words you're reading are scrambled and the clock won't tell you true time. You see nothing strange about the people around you being more concept than human. Perhaps you're the kind to dream yourself late to work, rushing to the office and not realizing until you've arrived that you've forgotten your clothes. Others blink and find themselves cast as classmates, or coworkers.
Or perhaps your mind is more given to the fantastical. You're recreating the plot of a movie you just watched, yourself as either the hero or the villain. Or the side character that's suddenly thrust into greatness. Do you fall into the fantasy of it, believing yourself to be someone else? Or are you lucid, controlling everything within the dream?
There's also the chance for a nightmare. One that twists out of your control, growing on every anxious fear. There are the regular ones - the ones that involve teeth, or falling, drowning, anxiety driven things that have you waking just before you meet your untimely end... only these dreams are so solid, so deep, that you need someone to reach out a hand and remind you that this isn't real. That you're safe back in your bed.
Whatever your dream, you'll wake rested and feeling surprisingly...loved.
As such, they've provided a generous donation to the Diadem Hotel. Pillows.
Laying your head upon one of their enchanted pillows will allow you to fall into a deep and restful sleep. And in this sleep, you will find yourself having the most vivid dreams.
Perhaps you dream of something mundane. You go through your morning routine as normal, unaware that the words you're reading are scrambled and the clock won't tell you true time. You see nothing strange about the people around you being more concept than human. Perhaps you're the kind to dream yourself late to work, rushing to the office and not realizing until you've arrived that you've forgotten your clothes. Others blink and find themselves cast as classmates, or coworkers.
Or perhaps your mind is more given to the fantastical. You're recreating the plot of a movie you just watched, yourself as either the hero or the villain. Or the side character that's suddenly thrust into greatness. Do you fall into the fantasy of it, believing yourself to be someone else? Or are you lucid, controlling everything within the dream?
There's also the chance for a nightmare. One that twists out of your control, growing on every anxious fear. There are the regular ones - the ones that involve teeth, or falling, drowning, anxiety driven things that have you waking just before you meet your untimely end... only these dreams are so solid, so deep, that you need someone to reach out a hand and remind you that this isn't real. That you're safe back in your bed.
Whatever your dream, you'll wake rested and feeling surprisingly...loved.
CLIFF NOTES.
➢ Newbies will be arriving in Excelsior. Have fun dealing with unfriendly locals and maybe-friendly, maybe-murderous fugitive robots!
➢ Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.
➢ The biggest rifts in reality have been fixed, but there are some lingering affects, such as random items disappearing or appearing. You can take advantage of these loot drops, but it seems that criminal elements are doing the same.
➢ There's a wish demon on the loose again in Sunset Falls! He's granting cursed wishes, even unspoken ones, though it shouldn't be too hard to find him if you want to put a stop to it.
➢ Newbies will find that the enchanted pillows have appeared in the Diadem Hotel as well! Anyone who sleeps on these can have dreamwalking adventures with each other - or nightmare adventures, as the case may be.
➢ Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.
➢ The biggest rifts in reality have been fixed, but there are some lingering affects, such as random items disappearing or appearing. You can take advantage of these loot drops, but it seems that criminal elements are doing the same.
➢ There's a wish demon on the loose again in Sunset Falls! He's granting cursed wishes, even unspoken ones, though it shouldn't be too hard to find him if you want to put a stop to it.
➢ Newbies will find that the enchanted pillows have appeared in the Diadem Hotel as well! Anyone who sleeps on these can have dreamwalking adventures with each other - or nightmare adventures, as the case may be.
WILDCARD.
Metaheroes takes inspiration from all walks of comics. Take a look at the CITIES to get an idea as to what day to day life is like in the other cities. Perhaps you've encountered a supervillain (or hero) who needs to be thwarted, or a metahuman with unusual powers creating bizarre effects. You can also take a look at the MISSION BOARD to get your start as a professional hero, villain, or vigilante.
no subject
[ Give her a minute, Doc, she's gotta wrap her head around this. ]
No X-Men, but a SpiderMan in your world. X-Men not a term bandied about here. And we're in some sort of multiverse nexus where people just pop in from various universes where things may or may not be the same.
[ She uses the tip of her fingers, to rub her forehead, the bandages stark white on her hands. ]
I can't get ten minutes, can I?
no subject
At least you missed last week's apocalypse?
no subject
Right. Which number was that?
[ She can't help the question. She's lived through a few. ]
no subject
[Not that he was around for the first. But that laughter is...concerning. Otto knows he's not exactly a trustworthy figure in her eyes, but he isn't sure who else he could call that would arrive in any reasonable amount of time. The Peters are in class, and he expects David is working. He raises a hand to gesture down the street, voice and movements careful.]
Come on - why don't we get you to one of the guild outposts? They'll give you a phone that's connected to the local metahuman networks. That's the easiest way to find out if anyone else from your world is here. I'd give you good odds - I know a lot of people are from a universe that sounds like what you're describing.
[With the "there are one million superheroes and teams" and the "holy shit you're Doc Ock"]
no subject
[ She sighs, heavily, world-weary and exhausted. It's been a long day, for her. She wants to not feel right now. ]
Right, that sounds like a good idea.
[ Sure, just following Doc Ock down the street. If she thinks of him like working with Creed, she can do this. Of course, she hasn't seen him in a while... Right, not thinking about that.
So, she starts following him, knowing that her muscles are going to start cramping soon. ]
Don't suppose there's a blue guy, with a tail? Or someone short, angry, grunts a lot?
[ Kurt and Logan. She could live with them being here. ]
no subject
That doesn't sound familiar. But don't take my word for it. There's a lot of us, spread out across the country - I certainly don't know everyone.
[And he's never talked to Logan before, rip.
As far as his suspicions about that one world go, though...well, he knows a few folks from there. One with a tail, even!]
There's Squirrel Girl?
no subject
No, he'd be blue, and a bit memorable.
[ She takes a deep breath, her newly healed body just not handling things well. ]
I don't know Squirrel Girl.
[ She notices the scrutiny, but doesn't draw attention to it. She doesn't want attention. She's fine; she'll be fine. ]
So; I'm going to Michigan?
no subject
Yes, that's where the Guardian Alliance is located. They're the local government-approved superhero organization. [He doesn't sound like he's a huge fan, but:] You're lucky, you shouldn't have to deal with them for very long.
no subject
Government-approved...?
[ N o p e. Not. Dealing. ]
I sincerely hope not.
no subject
[Read: he wouldn't be dealing with this at all if he was not an octopus man and could maintain a secret identity.]
no subject
That's too bad. Are they trying to recruit, or are they a live and let live?
[ She needs to know the politics at least a little. Right now, she's not running for her life, or riding a headless T-rex. That'll probably come later. ]
no subject
It's illegal here to be a metahuman and not a member of either the Alliance or their villain subsidiary, the Society. I don't know why they have one of those. [Please don't ask him to explain the official villains club!] But there's plenty who still aren't affiliated with either. It'll make your life a little harder, but there's places you can go to get set up with a new identity and all of that.
They'll put you up in the hotel for a month before making you register. Hopefully you won't be stuck here long enough for that to be an issue, but if you are - use that time to gather what resources you can, and get out before the due date. They won't put too much energy into chasing you, as long as you lay low afterwards.
no subject
Lay low. Is there a way to get into Canada? Or LA?
[ She'll make her way north. Canada is... not her home, but it's close enough to some things. ]
no subject
[Otto doesn't really know her personally, but he's seen her speak and he has a lot of respect for her. Enough that he hasn't tried to learn more about whatever under-the-table machinations she may have going on - he is an Alliance member, begrudging or not.]
LA would be easier.
no subject
[ Look, Canada and LA? Those are Jubilee home turfs. One thanks to Logan and one thanks to the fact that she grew up there and keeps going back. She's not sure she can go back without... Ang. ]
No, it wouldn't. What about Spidey? And New York?
[ If the one from her world is here, maybe he knows some mutants that are here too? Look, she's grasping at straws and needs to know if anyone from home is here. ]
no subject
[He's assuming you don't mean Spider-Ham, though.]
He's in Central City, the other two are here in Excelsior. New York...well, it exists, but it's not New York. [Much smaller, not as much a major city. It's weird and he didn't like it!]
no subject
Did you say a pig?
[ SURE WHY NOT? Still, she's almost relieved that New York isn't the same. Well, she's never been to Michigan? Maybe her and Logan went through there once. ]
Anything else I should know?
no subject
[TALKING PIG! Anyway...yes, thinking it over, only one more thing:]
You might have developed a new ability or two going through the Confluence. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it is fairly common.
no subject
Any gyms around? With actual gymnastic equipment?
[ Despite her hands being tender, she needs to work. Working takes her mind off of things. Working means she's still alive, still kicking, and still able to do something. ... Even if Ang is gone. ]
no subject
[He hasn't looked for a place to do gymnastics! Can you even imagine! Otto casts a slightly dubious glance down at her hands. He can't really tell what might be the matter with them - she seems to be moving fine - but they sure are bandaged up. Doing parkour with those might not be great.]
There's plenty of unaffiliated clinics you could go to, if you need it.
no subject
No. I've been healed.
[ By Warren of all people. She's not sure how that happened. ]
Really, I'm okay. It's nothing.
[ Maybe if she says it enough, she'll believe it. ]
no subject
As long as you're sure. You wouldn't want to aggravate anything.
no subject
Trust me, I know.
[ Is she talking about her world? Politics? Her injuries? Who knows. ]
Where are we going?